Less than Perfect, S. J. Evans [classic literature books txt] 📗

too. My dad left before I was even born, and I can’t help feel that it was my entire fault.” She fought the tears as she started to cry. “If I wasn’t here he never would have left my mom, and everyone would be a lot better off.”
Jules looked desperately at her, trying to read her own pained face. “Skye it’s okay. It wasn’t your fault, you’re perfect. Don’t blame yourself, it wasn’t you at all.” He whispered genuinely as he wrapped his arm around her protectively. “I mean, without you I wouldn’t have anyone to call ‘stool girl’, remember? And that would just be a nightmare.” He laughed and kept his arm around her, holding her as close as he could for as long as he could.
Skye chuckled despite her sour feelings. “Thanks for those encouraging

words.” She teased.
Jules grinned and let out an uncomfortable laugh. “Anytime.” He sighed.
Skye wanted to stay near him but she knew she couldn’t. Being around Jules would only create unwanted trouble and she knew it. She longed to be with him for an eternity, to be with him as much as possible; but she wasn’t cut out for it. My life is only for protecting Leah, I can’t let Jules distract me. He’s only going to give up on me in the long run, so why waste the time?

Suddenly struck with fear, Skye pushed herself away from Jules. “I’m sorry, but I can’t be around you.”
Jules sighed heavily and shook his head. “No not this again, Skye…”He looked into her eyes and held out a hand to reassure her of something, anything; but she scurried away and shook her head.
Her words caught in her throat making it hard for her to speak. “No, Jules don’t touch me, don’t come near me.” She pleaded desperately.
“Skye, I don’t understand. Tell me what’s wrong,” he said in a hushed tone.
She had to get him away from her so that she wouldn’t have to lie to Johnny anymore. “No! Jules you don’t get it, Bryan’s my boyfriend

. Maybe he can be stupid sometimes but I couldn’t do what he’s done to me back to him. He may act like scum but he’s really sweet. I need

him, I don’t even want

you.” She screamed at him, using all of the breath she had.
“You don’t mean that, Skye he’s awful.” Jules looked hurt, devastatingly hurt and stunned, as if someone had just slapped him across the face. And someone had just slapped him—that someone being Skye—only not physically. Her words were enough. “Please tell me you don’t mean this, Skye. I only want to protect you from what could happen between you two. I have met guys like him before, and they always turn out to be freakishly disgusting. He shouldn’t have the chance to hurt you. I mean how can you even want to go back to someone like him?” Jules said desperately; clinging to the same spot, frozen with rejection.
But he will hurt me if I stay with you, right here, right now. And I need to stay strong for my mom, she needs me.

She wanted to say. Skye looked at him in terror. She had to conjure up lies, immediately. “Because I love him, Jules! If you loved someone you would look past even their slightest flaws, wouldn’t you? And don’t even tell me that he’s awful or that he will turn disgusting, I may be fragile or whatever you want to call me, but I certainly won’t tolerate someone I hardly even know telling me how I should live my life. Just get away from me Jules, I can’t do this anymore.” She cried out painfully, knowing that the words she had just spoken could be the last she ever spoke to Jules. She hurried down the ladder and dropped to her feet, her legs shakily giving her steadiness. Her eyes were tearing up but she quickly wiped them away. I can’t do this anymore! Why do I keep pushing away the one person who can help me? He doesn’t deserve it

.
Jules stared after her for a moment but quickly regained his grip on reality and rushed to the ladder, practically jumping down the entire thing. “Wait Skye, don’t leave!” Jules said running to catch up with her. Skye was quickly walking away, trying to ignore him so that she wouldn’t give in to him and have him and let her walls crash down. She needed to keep the walls strong if she didn’t want Johnny or Bryan to harm her. Only, maybe the wall that she is trying to use to protect her is the same wall that is bringing her down. Jules caught gently at her arm. “I would do anything to have you give me a chance. One chance. And if you decide that you still can’t stand me I’ll quit, forever.” He buried his soul into her soul, just through the small act of looking into her eyes. He flashed a quick and soft smile and wiped away one stray tear.
Skye couldn’t resist his kind heart and unbelievable pleading, and she couldn’t resist the beautiful deep eyes that gave away so much. She needs a chance at a new friendship; at least one. “You promise that you won’t hurt me and that this ‘one chance’ will be only that: one chance?” She raised her eyebrows at him.
Jules smiled a bright smile and tipped his head. “I promise you, Skye. I promise that I won’t harm you in any

way.”
Skye felt the urge to grab his hand or to give him a hug, she wanted it incredibly much. “I suppose that this is the part when I’m obliged to apologize for blowing up at you, right?” She said quietly.
“Yeah, that should be how it works. Although, Skye I would like to apologize for getting on your case about Bryan. I guess I just don’t know him as well as you do, and I’m sure you’re right about him.” Jules said the words but he didn’t entirely believe them.
“It’s not a problem, Jules. I’m sorry that I freaked out so much, I just care about him, and maybe I shouldn’t; but I do. For the moment though, yes, I would rather not

see him.”
“I understand, stool girl. Just let me handle the not seeing him part, I’ve got time to hangout now. Have you ever ridden on a motorcycle?” He said with a grin.
Skye looked taken aback. “No, of course not. I mean do I look like I have?”
He looked at her really quickly and laughed. “I’m not even going to comment. Come on, I’ll give you a ride around this dead town.” He said taking her hand and running with her through the park. The sun was setting and the day somehow had slipped away from her very quickly. Although she didn’t want it to end she was glad that she would be able to rest again.
Skye couldn’t help but smile when she watched his beaming smile. To think that all of this started at a club.

“Jules where are we going?”
He stopped on the sidewalk in front of a large and very new motorcycle. “This

, my friend, is what we came here for.” He walked around the bike and patted the seat. “Ready to ride?”
“Jules I never agreed to ride it,” she laughed at his pure confidence that she would like it.
“Oh come on, you’ll love it. I promise that it’s safe.”
“Hey, okay, I guess I can try something new.” She said giving him a bright smile. She wanted to pinch herself for even thinking about getting on a motorcycle. Her mom hated the things; but Skye always thought there was something more behind the reason she hated it besides the obvious danger it could bring.
“Good. I mean I was totally ready for attacking you with the nagging attempt, but this is better.” He winked. He tossed Skye a helmet and put on one for himself as he hopped on the bike.
“I better not regret this,” she warned as she got on the bike behind him.
“You won’t, just hold on.”
“Okay.” She nervously wrapped her arms around his chest and held on tightly. She almost sighed as she breathed in his perfect scent, but she didn’t. She smiled to herself. Now this, this is feeling something.

She thought graciously.
He started it up and revved it, sending it forward a moment later. Skye grabbed on tighter and she could feel a slight vibration from him laughing. She laughed at herself, realizing how stupid she must seem to him. She had never been on one before and she was terrified of it. She let out a squeal as they flew through traffic, the wind tangling the ends of her hair together. “Are you sure you’re good at this?” She managed to call up to him.
He laughed, “Of course.” He managed back.
With her arms around him and her hands against his chest she could feel just how perfectly toned it was. She couldn’t look over him because he towered slightly above her, but she didn’t care; being so close to him again was good enough. She got a good view of the town as they pass through it and because she had seen it so many times that wasn’t even a big deal.

“Did you enjoy it?” Jules asked her as they hopped off of the bike back at the park. The sky had turned into a dark night sky spotted with glimmering stars.
Skye caught her breath as she dropped the helmet in Jules’ hands. “Yes, I did. Thank you, I kind of think that that is what I needed. I needed the time to think and have some fun.” She smiled at him, unable to stop herself.
“Good to hear, stool girl. I hope I didn’t keep you out too late.”
“No, you didn’t.”
“Do you want me to walk you home? I don’t feel comfortable letting you walk home from here.” He said kindly, his face glowing under the moonlight. She couldn’t keep her eyes away from lingering on him.
“No, I’m good. I mean I only live a little bit away from here.” She said in confidence.
“Okay, if you’re sure that you’ll be alright…”
She nodded her head. “I’m sure.” She turned away from him to head home, pacing her steps slowly.
“Hey, wait.” Jules hurried up to her and stepped in front of her. He pulled at his neck nervously again. “I know that this sounds stupid, but is there any way that we can keep in touch?”
Skye snickered at him. “You know, actually there is. It’s called a cell phone, have you ever heard of it?” She teased.
He gave a look of surprise. “No way, really? How does it work?” He mocked.
She grinned and shook her head feeling ridiculous. “I give you my number.” She whispered, suddenly feeling that she couldn’t trust the silent town. Skye whispered her number in his ear and he grinned, feeling accomplished.
“Great, maybe